On: New: Apply to Y Combinator without an Idea

[rdl]

I'm fine with wearing suits on sales calls in the right contexts, but it's more about wearing what is appropriate. At YC (or really any tech event on the west coast), a suit isn't appropriate -- at most, a button-down shirt w/o tie and MAYBE a jacket in the evenings.

It's kind of obvious when the guy on the other side of the table is wearing shorts and sandals that perhaps a suit and tie is inappropriate...

[itmag → rdl]

Is there some hack for those people who like wearing a suit but don't want to come off as try-hard status-whores?

For instance, wearing a scruffy t-shirt and jeans with the suit to signal non-pretentiousness?

Personally, I enjoy wearing suits but if I ever go to Silicon Valley, I would like to avoid committing a faux pas :)

[mseebach → itmag]

I can't speak for the US west coast, but it seems to me a good start is to actually know how to wear a suit. It absolutely has to fit correctly and be the right size. Unbutton your jacket when you sit. Tie your tie correctly and tighten and straighten it, top button of your shirt buttoned - OR loose it completely, opening the top button - there is no middle ground.

[burgerbrain → itmag]

If you are able to, you might be able to pull of a "dishevelled Tom Waits" look. Very hard to do without looking homeless or hungover though.

[caw → itmag]

I think the hack is jeans + (t-)shirt + blazer look. I haven't had the context to try it, but it's supposed to be a bit more "trendy" than a suit.